Using Power Schemes

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Power schemes are named combinations of power-down parameters. Windows 2000 provides six power schemes, each tailored for a different way of using your computer. You can apply any of the six schemes as is, or modify any of the supplied schemes. You can also create additional schemes.

To work with power schemes, open the Start menu and choose Settings, Control Panel, Power Options. In the Power Options Properties dialog box, click the Power Schemes tab. Figure 26-2 shows the Power Schemes tab for a portable computer. On a desktop system connected to an uninterruptible power supply (which provides battery backup in the event of a power outage), the Power Schemes tab looks similar to the one shown in Figure 26-2. On a system without battery power, the Running On Batteries section of the dialog box doesn't appear.

Figure 26-2. Windows 2000 provides six power schemes.

CAUTION
If your system relies on APM (not ACPI) for power management and you share one or more folders with other network users, never power down your hard disks. The same is true if you use your computer as a Web server. Because APM relies on the BIOS to make power-management decisions, it can t know when someone other than you is trying to access a hard disk on your system.

To choose a different power scheme, select from the Power Schemes list. To modify the current scheme, adjust any of the parameters in the lower section of the dialog box. For example, the Home/Office Desk scheme shown in Figure 26-2 is set so that the system never goes into standby or hibernation. To have the system enter standby mode after 30 minutes of inactivity on AC power, for example, open the System Standby list under the Plugged In heading, and then choose After 30 Mins.

To make a permanent change to one of the supplied power schemes, adjust the parameters to suit your needs. Then click Save As and save the scheme under its current name. To create a new power scheme, set your parameters, click Save As, and then supply a new name.

NOTE
While your computer is displaying the Windows 2000 logon screen, waiting for a user to log on, it uses whatever power scheme was in effect at the most recent logoff. Thus, if you share your computer with other users, you might find someone else's settings in effect as you log on. Once you have logged on, your own settings take effect.



Running Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Running Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
ISBN: 1572318384
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2000
Pages: 317

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